A Solemn Appeal

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EFFECTS OF LICENTIOUSNESS UPON THE MORALS

Lust fills the chambers of the whole soul with moral pestilence and mildew; and this, too, whatever be its mode of operating. So that solitary vice, in its depraving power, falls but little short of libertinism itself. Its tendency is downward - downward - DOWNWARD! It rapidly weakens and debases the moral character, especially if the sinfulness of it be known. We have already seen how often it hurries its victims to insanity. But far more frequently it sinks them deep in depravity without destroying their accountability. SOAP 20.1

It is the parent of very much of that moral corruption so generally ascribed to the fall of Adam! Sapping the moral nature early, it saps it effectually. Reason and conscience, struggling ineffectually for a season, at length throw loose the controlling reins, and then the work is done. Few, if any, confirmed onanists, but are depraved to the level of any and every form of venereal sin. And certainly, they who are thus depraved, will shrink from very few acts of crime, whenever their interest or their passion shall summon them to wickedness. Selfish and interested motives may, to be sure, afford many, and sometimes strong, restraints. But when right - right in the sight of God - moral right is the only question, it is believed that the subjects of licentiousness will generally care but little for it. SOAP 21.1